Chapter24
Maverick
"You missed your chance," Ford said when Belle and her friends walked outside.
I tipped my bottle back as if I didn't have a care in the world, but underneath I was irritated with myself."How can I talk to her when she's in a group of people?"
"If Angela walked in here, I would say hi.It's that simple.It doesn't matter if she's alone or with someone."
I set the bottle down."I screwed up."
We hadn't talked about what happened.I didn't feel comfortable doing that with Belle across the room.I felt her look over at me a few times, but she hadn't approached.She hadn't reached out since that first night.The longer this went on, the worse it felt.
"What's going on?"Ford asked.
"Her mother dropped in the other day.We were embracing?—"
At Hudson's raised brow, I hurried to add, "Not kissing.Just hugging."
"Okay—" Ford said, drawing out the word.
"Belle introduced me as her boyfriend, and her mother wasn't pleased.I'm sure she doesn't want her daughter hanging out with the help."My tone was bitter.
Ford frowned."Is that what she said?"
"No.But she might as well have," I muttered, my gaze on the game on the screen."Belle left for lunch with her mother, and I stayed behind."
Everyone was quiet for a few seconds.
Cooper leaned forward."Let me know if I've got this right.Belle's mother took her out to lunch, and you haven't spoken since?"
I nodded."She texted that night asking if I was coming over like I usually do, but I said no.I said I was tired, and we haven't talked since then."
Cooper leaned back."You've been avoiding her."
"I guess you could say that.We used to hang out most nights.When she wasn't with the girls."
"And now you've stopped texting or going over there.What is she supposed to think?"Hudson asked.
I shrugged."That I'm working through some things?"
"But you didn't tell her that," Ford said.
"Maybe I should have said that instead ofI'm tired." But I wasn't great at expressing myself, especially when it came to relationships.
"How do you feel about her?"
"I love her," I said simply, the realization washing over me.And I was pissed that her mother hadn't approved of me.What chance did I have with her now?
Hudson shifted forward on his elbows."So her mother taps into your biggest insecurity, that you're not good enough for Belle, and you give up.You just assume your relationship can't work."
"That's about right."
"You're an idiot," Cooper mumbles to himself, but I'm right next to him and can hear him just fine.
I glared over at him, wondering why he was invited.
"You don't love her," Ford said simply.
